Wartime Burn Care in Iraq: 28th Combat Support Hospital, 2003

Abstract

The U.S. Army 28th Combat Support Hospital (CSH), an echelon III facility, deployed to Iraq at the start of military operations in 2003. Shortly after arrival, it was designated as the hospital primarily responsible for burn care for the U.S. military in Iraq. This report reviews the experience of the CSH with burn care during combat operations. Methods: An after-action review was conducted during a 2-day period after the hospital's redeployment. Results: Between April 11, 2003, and August 21, 2003, the 28th CSH treated a total of 7,920 patients, of whom 103 (1.3%) had burns. Patients included U.S. and allied service members, U.S. contractors, and Iraqi prisoners of war and civilians. Although a CSH is de- signed to care for patients until they can be stabilized and evacuated, usually within 1 to 3 days, the length of stay for some Iraqi patients was as long as 53 days. Definitive care, including excision and grafting of the burn wound, was thus required for some Iraqi patients. The largest graft completed comprised 40% of the total body surface area. The largest burn survived involved -65% of the total body surface area. Eighteen (17%) of 103 patients returned to duty after treatment at the 28th CSH. The mortality rate for burn patients at the 28th CSH was 8%. Shortages of bum-experienced personnel and bum-specific supplies were identified during the after-action review. Conclusions: The CSH provided complex definitive care to burn patients in an austere environment. Predeployment identification of military field hospitals for such specialized missions, with early assignment of experienced personnel and material to these units, may improve father wartime burn care.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA629277

Entities

People

  • Christopher A Vanfosson
  • James R. Jezior
  • John B Holcomb
  • Joy A. Walker
  • Lisette P. Melton
  • Louis R. Stout
  • Matthew L. Brengman
  • Robin L. Smith
  • Sonia T. Neumeier
  • Thomas E. Knuth

Organizations

  • United States Army Institute of Surgical Research

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Combat Casualty Care
  • Combat Support
  • Combat Support Hospitals
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Health Services
  • Hospitals
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Hospitals
  • Military Medicine
  • Military Operations
  • Patient Care
  • Therapy

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Military Mobilization and Reserve Forces Studies.
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.